The Scottish Government has announced that a facility has opened to help support parents with problematic drug or alcohol use, without the need for them being separated from their children.
Last year, the Scottish Government awarded £8 million worth of funding to North Ayrshire-based Harper House, with the aim of supporting the delivery of a family rehabilitation service.
With the ability to support up to 20 families at a time, and placements available between the lengths off three and six months, 80 families can be supported through the service annually.
Visiting during the official opening of the facility was Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister, who said:
“We are determined to make it easier for people with problem drug or alcohol use to access treatment, so I am pleased to open this facility offering families the chance to stay together while parents receive specialist support in a safe and structured environment.
“Though men are more likely to use and experience harm from drugs, there has been a disproportionate increase in drug related deaths among women and there is a strong link between women having children removed from their care and risk of drug-related death.
“Harper House is funded through the Residential Rehabilitation Rapid Capacity Programme and will contribute towards the Scottish Government’s aim to treble the number of publicly funded residential rehabilitation placements to 1,000 by 2026.”
